Municipal election day is Oct. 18 across the province, with Albertans electing city and town councillors, mayors, reeves and school board trustees.
Advanced polling has also begun.
RELATED: rdnewsNOW covers the 2021 municipal election
In Red Deer, there are six candidates for mayor.
rdnewsNOW reached out to all of them, asking two questions:
Below are answers from the five candidates for mayor who responded, in alphabetical order (by last name). Candidates were asked to respond in a total of 500 words or less, with answers unedited for grammar and spelling, and not fact-checked.
JAMES ALLEN
Q1: I am the right person to lead Red Deer because I am only one of two candidates with a formal education in economics, and I am the only candidate transparent enough to release a full plan on what I aim to do for our city. I am also a business owner and entrepreneur, so thinking outside the box for innovative and cost efficient solutions is something I have learned, and practice everyday. I have four years of provincial government experience, so I have no problem with taking the province to task to get what we need for our city. I have the energy, time and proven determination to ensure that our city moves forward with rapid pace to solve the issues we are facing. I hold strong values and morals surrounding family, honesty, and compassion. I hope to lead Red Deer into our next chapter of economic growth and lead our city to becoming one of the most attractive places for families and businesses to settle in Western Canada in four years time.
Q2: Crime and homelessness are our biggest issues. We need to have a zero-tolerance policy for crime, and we need to create either a hybrid police service, or a fully municipal police service. Education is also invaluable to ending crime and homelessness. I will lead by example and donate $30,000 yearly of my salary to create scholarships for disadvantaged and rehabilitated youth in our city- so we can break the cycle of crime and poverty and help young people who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to help themselves. I will also be proposing a whole new homeless assistance structure in my first 100 days to finally solve our homeless crisis by the end of next year. Our greatest asset is our location. We are squandering our opportunity to become the hub of Alberta for logistical and industrial transport. We need to use our location to our advantage and we need to invite businesses to our city. We must diversify our economy and take advantage of the many opportunities our location has to offer. The natural beauty of our city and location truly sets us apart from the larger cities- we have the right ingredients for success, just the wrong chefs in the kitchen.
BUCK BUCHANAN (CURRENT RED DEER CITY COUNCILLOR)
Q1: I think I am the right person to lead Red Deer due to my past experience and what I bring to the role. I have been fortunate and honored to represent the People of Red Deer for the past fourteen years and although difficult at times it has been a pleasure. Prior to this experience I spent twenty-eight plus years in the RCMP in a variety of locations doing a variety of functions. To me a Leader is someone who is not prepared to ask someone to do something that they are not prepared to do themselves and I believe that is who I am. I also believe we need to be accountable and accessible and transparent to our Citizens and again I believe that is who I am and what I represent. I will not tell You something just because I think that is what You want to hear. My vision for our City is to create better Relationships, we recognize the many problems that exist whether it is COVID presently, or Crime and Safety or Economic Development or Addictions and Mental Health or Homelessness and the list can go on and on. When I speak of Relationships I believe we have to try to figure out what the solutions are and how they can be implemented. Our Community is paramount, in figuring out these solutions and with the assistance of Council and Staff we can put the actions into place. I think our partners in the Central Alberta (Counties and Municipalities) along with the Westerner and Airportal and many Agencies (Crime Prevention Centre, Safe Harbour, Turning Point, Golden Circle, Libraries, MAG, Mustard Seed, Bridges Seniors Living) and on and on are all part of the solution to making Red Deer a better place.
Q2: Presently I would say the biggest issue is the Pandemic and figuring out what rules and regulations can and cannot be done on the Municipal level. During more normal times I would suggest Crime and Safety and Economic Development with a bit of a focus on our Downtown area as the core of the City are critical. I have some idea’s around Policing and Crime and Safety that I would like to discuss with the new Council and try to come up with solutions to address some of the issues. I have had many resolutions in the past regarding these issues and some have been implanted and some are still in the works and still others have gained no traction what so ever, I am sure that the new Council will also come with many new and innovative concepts.
I believe our City’s greatest asset is our People and their ablility to create Community, I also believe we are a City within a Park with a tremendous geographical location to be capitalized on.
On October 18th Vote Buck Buchanan
DWIGHT HICKEY
Q1:
1a) I believe that my experience of running a small business for 29+ years, starting as a teenager at the Grey Beverage Flea Market, has taught me how to deal with people in an effective way. I have learned to bargain, haggle, and find middle ground with thousands of clients over the many years in my position. My ability to not just take the first deal handed to me is an asset. I will look for all the options in any scenario before deciding on any. I believe in people coming together on middle ground.
1b) I see a vibrant city. A city teaming with happy citizens, with well paid jobs, and careers. Property crimes being dealt with by a Red Deer Police Force. New businesses, houses, and apartments being purpose built to serve their communities. A Downtown busy with people having a good time. To see many new faces and growth. A City Hall that responds to its citizens. Making Red Deer a better place to live. Bringing a greater quality of life. To get Red Deer back in business.
Q2:
2a) I think that the Downtown has been let down. It has been allowed to decline, through mismanagement, into the state it is in now. I also think that the Edgar Industrial Park needs the same attention, that our Downtown lacks, brought to it. These are areas vital to job creation in Red Deer. We need to bring back employers, and bring in new employers into these areas to restore livelihoods for the many people who are now left out of work. I think property taxes need to be re-assessed, and adjusted to reflect current values, not the pre-Covid-19 values that they are clearly at. Tax penalties on businesses is not a viable solution for growth. Even if the penalties are reduced, they are still present, and propose more challenges for the businesses to absorb. Business is down across the board, unless you are a big box grocery store for instance. People are struggling, businesses are struggling. We have to let everybody have a chance at getting their grip again, then we can work on their footing. People are angry, they have few options left, if any. The ability to earn is the only way out.
2b) Red Deer’s greatest asset has always been the people. Reddeerians are hard workers, and are willing to get things done. Red Deer has a large workforce that is poised and ready to get started on the next projects on the horizon. Red Deer workers are adaptable, and have rolled with the punches over the years. We have many well trained professionals still remaining in our communities, waiting for a new opportunity to open up to them. The mentality of work hard, play hard makes Red Deer strong. Our workers only need a foot in the door to succeed in whatever venture comes their way. These workers are supported by strong family values, and strong community supports. People are always the greatest asset.
KEN JOHNSTON (CURRENT RED DEER CITY COUNCILLOR)
Q1: I believe my 25 years of cross community volunteerism has given me a broad perspective on our City. I have been involved with the United Way, the Red Deer Chamber, the Westerner, the Rotary Club, the Friends of the Hospital, Parkland Youth (now McMann) Youth Homes and many others from an ad hoc perspective. In addition the last 16 years of my 40 year Banking career were spent here and I am a two term City Councillor. My vision is that Red Deer can and will take it’s place in our Province as the City with the highest quality of life. Red Deer is rich in the energy and diversity of it’s people. People from our business, academic, athletic, tourism, cultural, faith, arts, social, youth and seniors sector all deserve a voice in how we shape our future. A collaborative leader with the ability to listen and facilitate those voices will ensure we succeed. We are problem solvers. We can seize opportunities by sharing ideas and resources. We can innovate and create. The people of our city need us to be a proactive partner and the Mayor is the ambassador of that partnership. Red Deer’s economy, it’s amenities, it’s institutions, it’s natural environment, it’s lifestyle , will retain our current citizens and attract all those seeking a new place to call home.
Q2: The biggest issue facing us right now is getting our Downtown revitalized with the challenges presented in our social environment. Clearly the status quo isn’t working which is why I will be forming a Mayor’s business advisory council and working collaboratively with all our partners to get a sustainable solution. We have partners at the Provincial, business, addictions treatment and agency level. We can get this done. Our Downtown can attract new industry, new residential development, new shops and restaurants, new ventures to fill our office spaces, new events to celebrate our diversity and heritage. Our biggest asset, has always been our biggest asset and that is the spirit of our people. That spirit built Red Deer and when called upon it never fails to deliver. It was on full display at the Canada Winter Games and is engaged repeatedly in our generosity and volunteerism right across our community. It’s what makes us hopeful. It unites us in the goal to be a great place to live, to work and to play. It is in that spirit that I will engage as Mayor.
BRAD MAGEE
Q1: I feel that I am the right person to lead Red Deer because I am coming from a different background than most. I have a different perspective and a different moral outlook. My vision as Mayor of Red Deer is one of accountability and honesty. I feel that for too long our city has been sitting stagnant, with opportunities that we shied away from. We need growth, enhancement, and above all else, a collective thought process behind our decision making process in City Council. We need to make educated decisions that work for the people, not against them.
Q2: One of the biggest issues in Red Deer is business and job loss. With the current state of our economy it is important that we make the best decisions for our city moving forward. Without a strong tax base our city will continue to suffer and our citizens will pay the price. One of our biggest assets is our central location in Alberta. This is advantageous in many ways. We are a central location which allows for faster travel and transportation time lines, as well as being the central hub for all things business related. Our city is a perfect spot to stop in as people are travelling the province, bringing tourism and cash flow with it.
JEREMY MOORE
Q1: I have the skills needed to assess a situation, evaluate what is needed to meet the desired outcome and draw together the resources required to make it happen. My business experience is a benefit as I can bring fresh new approach to move Red Deer forward. I have strong leadership skills and experience with by-laws and meeting decorum. I do not lack governance experience. I have the confidence needed to fill any gaps that may present themselves as I step into the role of Mayor. My vision it to focus my skills to draw the best out of each councillor I get to work with, the city of red deer employees that cross my path and each citizens that reaches out for support. We can do this Red Deer. It is not just a “catch phrase”, it is my belief that it is going to take a joint effort to move Red Deer in a new direction of growth and renewed pride.
Q2: Division is the biggest issue facing Red Deer at this moment. What many want to address as isolated issues are broader, far reaching and co-dependant. The city is in a precarious position. If our current course is not corrected, we will be faced with consequences that will take generation to recover from. Our city’s greatest asset has become our biggest issue. Our greatest asset is our diversity. By addressing issues in their entirety Red Deer can make course correction that will honour each citizen and what they represent. We need to focus on what we have and make sure that we are being responsible and reliable in decision making and in relationship building.
(All photo are supplied)
**This story will be updated if candidates submit late responses
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